CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP Comparison
CheckMark Payroll
Starting at $449
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
CheckMark Payroll is a desktop payroll application for small business owners who want to run payroll in-house without outsourcing. It handles check printing, W-2 generation, and federal tax reports directly from the user…
RUN Powered by ADP
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Small Business
RUN Powered by ADP is a payroll and HR platform for small businesses that need reliable multi-state payroll processing, automatic tax filings, and compliance support backed by ADP's regulatory infrastructure. It syncs wi…
RUN Powered by ADP leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 703 reviews.
CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP — at a glance
| Feature | CheckMark Payroll | RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 6 | 703 |
| Starting price | $449 | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online, Business Hours |
| Certifications | SOC 2 | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between CheckMark Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP
- Pricing: CheckMark Payroll starts at $449. RUN Powered by ADP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: CheckMark Payroll offers a free trial; RUN Powered by ADP does not.
- Target audience: CheckMark Payroll is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while RUN Powered by ADP targets Small Business.
- User satisfaction: RUN Powered by ADP scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
- Deployment: CheckMark Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; RUN Powered by ADP supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Payroll Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Payroll Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.
- Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
- Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
- Emailed to you — no on-screen download
No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.
CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for small businesses needing simple, reliable payroll with strong support.
- You run a small business or franchise with up to 50 employees.
- You want an easy-to-use payroll system without complex HR features.
- You value responsive customer support and reliable multi-jurisdiction tax automation.
- Your business requires advanced HR functionalities beyond payroll.
- You have a tight budget and need the lowest-cost payroll solution.
CheckMark Payroll typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. RUN Powered by ADP tends to fit Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | CheckMark Payroll is a desktop payroll application for small business owners who want to run payroll in-house without outsourcing. It handles check printing, W-2 generation, and federal tax ... Read More about CheckMark Payroll | RUN Powered by ADP is a payroll and HR platform for small businesses that need reliable multi-state payroll processing, automatic tax filings, and compliance support backed by ADP's ... Read More about RUN Powered by ADP |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | 1-50 employeesSmall franchises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
No key benefits available yet.
- Trusted Payroll & Tax Automation: Provides reliable payroll processing with automatic tax calculations, filings, and compliance alerts across jurisdictions.
- Scalable HR Features: Offers add-on HR services, benefits administration, and background checks designed for changing business needs.
- Expert Support & Resources: Backed by ADP's industry expertise and compliance support, helping small businesses manage regulations confidently.
Best fit
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1–50 employees
- Retail, healthcare, professional services, construction, hospitality, and small franchises
- Small Business Owners, HR Generalists, Payroll Managers, Office Administrators, and Accountants
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Small businesses looking for simpler, more budget-friendly payroll solutions may consider lightweight alternatives.
- Companies needing deeper integration with non-ADP accounting platforms might seek more flexible options.
- Organizations wanting broader talent tools such as applicant tracking and LMS may explore full-scale HCM systems.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get decision help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
- Independent advice — matched to your business
- Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
- Free 15-min call with a software advisor.
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
How do CheckMark Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP Compare on Features?
Total Features | 8 Features | 23 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare CheckMark Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page |  |  |
CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
CheckMark Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 6 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use, strong customer support, and reliable payroll automation, with some concerns about advanced features and occasional technical issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
CheckMark Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  D  TrueBlue  Lehigh White Cement |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  3 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to CheckMark Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, CheckMark Payroll or RUN Powered by ADP?
- RUN Powered by ADP edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do CheckMark Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP offer a free trial?
- CheckMark Payroll offers a free trial. RUN Powered by ADP does not.
- What is the starting price of CheckMark Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP?
- CheckMark Payroll starts at $449. RUN Powered by ADP starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to CheckMark Payroll?
- Top alternatives to CheckMark Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Microkeeper, APS Payroll.
- What are the top alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP?
- Top alternatives to RUN Powered by ADP include OnPay, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, APS Payroll, SurePayroll.